Doorstep FIRs: Telangana police launches first-of-its-kind initiative

The Telangana police has unveiled a citizen-centric initiative allowing victims to register FIRs at their residence or chosen location, eliminating the need to visit police stations in sensitive cases. Police personnel will record details at the victim’s residence or hospital and formally register the FIR at the station, with copies shared via email, WhatsApp, or hard copy.

Hyderabad: The Telangana police has introduced a citizen-centric system aimed at registration of the First Information Reports (FIRs) at the residence or place of choice of victims, eliminating the need for them to visit police stations in sensitive cases.

The ‘first such initiative in India’ ensures prompt registration of FIRs in cases where it is crucial to safeguard the victims’ dignity and safety.

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It is applicable for victims of seven crime categories including offences against women and children, crimes affecting the human body, property offences, and cases under special laws such as the POCSO Act, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Telangana Prohibition of Ragging Act, officials said

Additional Director General of Police, CID Telangana, Charu Sinha said the initiative was aimed at preventing delays and adopting a more empathetic, citizen-centric approach.

She explained that police personnel would visit the victim’s residence or hospital if the person is injured and undergoing treatment, record the details, and then return to the police station to formally register the FIR. The FIR would be communicated to the victim through email or WhatsApp, or a hard copy would be provided if required.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were circulated to Superintendents of Police across all districts, and a series of training programmes will be conducted over the next week to ensure smooth implementation.

The SOPs lay down timelines for FIR registration, the procedure to be followed, and the specific Sections of law under which the provision is applicable. Officials said the rollout process is expected to begin within the next few weeks.